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Why immigration bill is nothing but trouble
A number of irate readers e-mailed me this week, taking me to task for my recent column on the immigration reform bill. They spouted the usual unsupported rhetoric about how illegal immigrants actually give more than they take, how they do jobs Americans won't and how this bill is our last, best hope for meaningful reform. I was slogging my way through the bombast when it hit me -- the task takers hadn't a clue as to the content of this wretched bill, but will support it to the death anyway. There are a number of things wrong with this measure, and some of those things, in terms of national security, are downright frightening. The first, naturally, is the blanket amnesty it offers to the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. It's a plan that obviously failed when it was granted to 3 million illegals in 1986 and this bill gives us no reason to believe it's going to work any better this time around. Americans interested in their country's fiscal solvency and national security can plod through the 789-page text of the Senate's proposed Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 at www.thomas.gov or visit The Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank, at www.heritage.org/research/immigration for an abbreviated take on some of the measure's more ludicrous provisions. Provisions like amnesty for "absconders," those illegals who have already been ordered deported by the courts, but choose to ignore those orders, thus twice breaking the law. Provisions like amnesty for gang members, but only for those who have denounced their gang membership. How a reformed gangster might demonstrate that is unclear -- perhaps with a pinky swear or a note from his or her former gang leader. Then there's the one-business-day provision, which is the amount of time the measure allows for government officials to complete a background check, the step that determines whether the applicant is a criminal or terrorist. A single business day. Really. You can look it up. And if the government agent conducting the background fails to make the one-day deadline? The applicant is awarded his probationary Z visa and may move about America at will for six months at least. Hardly a comfort in this post-9/11 age. America was built by immigrants; no child or grandchild of immigrants would say otherwise. But the face of immigration has changed in recent decades, due, at least in part, by a "permissive attitude toward illegal immigration, which primarily attracts low-skill workers," says Robert E. Rector, a Heritage senior research fellow. Rector, who shared the results of his U.S. Census-driven study on immigration and poverty before Congress earlier this month, noted that immigrants, illegal and otherwise, do pay taxes, though seldom enough to cover the costs of the government benefits they receive. "The National Academy of Sciences has estimated that each immigrant without a high school degree will cost U.S. taxpayers, on average, $89,000 over the course of his or her lifetime," Rector said. He also estimates the cost to legalize millions of low-skilled illegal immigrants at about $2.5 trillion. And how about that other myth, the one that illegals are necessary because they do the work Americans won't? In his syndicated column this week, the brilliant economist Thomas Sowell notes that even in agriculture, the economy in which illegal immigrants have the highest representation, illegals make up just 24 percent of the workers. So where, Sowell asks, did the other 76 percent come from, if these are jobs that Americans won't do? Americans are weary of myths and romanticized rhetoric. They want their borders secured. They won't get that with this bill, which only promises to make a bad problem even worse. 79 comments from 20 users
posted by
samheath
on May 27, 2007 at 05:41 AM
We the People were lied to in 1986 and we are being lied to now. But it takes both the White House and the Congress to cooperate as liars in order to satisfy the demand for slave labor in America. This is why both Bush and Kennedy are in bed together and want this latest amnesty rather than securing our borders, even at the risk of inviting nuclear terrorism for the sake of slave labor. Follow the money to "Press one for English." Something that makes a mockery of "Memorial Day."
posted by
drilnliftcrude
on May 27, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Yes, it is a good thing that we are a nation of immigrants and a melting pot. But it is not a melting pot if the rate of immigration is so large for the last twenty years that the Bakersfield area can have a dozen spanish language radio stations and at least four spanish language tv stations. I have heard it reported that 2nd generation immigrants speak mostly English in the home. Now, I don't know just how many listeners and viewers it takes to keep a radio or tv station operating profitably, but it has to be a whole lot more than any of the official estimates of the immigrant population in Kern County. If we get this immigration reform, we might as well change the name of the county seat to Babelsfield. The wealthy business owners and farmers who benefit from the cheap labor will just use tranlators and sit back and enjoy the wealth in their gated communities and family compounds in the southwest. ENFORCE THE LAWS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS BEFORE MAKING NEW ONES.
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Take a stroll down the AM dial on your radio for proof of Driln's statement. I also found this statement to be VERY interesting. "illegals make up just 24 percent of the workers. So where, Sowell asks, did the other 76 percent come from, if these are jobs that Americans won't do?" posted by
sfinboston52
on May 27, 2007 at 08:18 AM
unemployement is less than 5%, so if you get rid of these undocumented works, who will do the work? Most of the immigration arguement is focused on people of hispanic descent. What about all these illegal irish people here? posted by
ronmexico
on May 27, 2007 at 08:39 AM
How many illegal irish people are here?? How did they get here? Fly to mexico and then cross the border?? The "illegal" irish are not a problem. So typical of some people. If you can enforce every bit of a law, then they intimate we must not enforce any of it.. Do you realize there are people that have been trying to get into this country legally? Yet millions have broken the law to come here illegally, and now will be come citizens. That is wrong. No matter what country they came from. posted by
johnburnssucks
on May 27, 2007 at 08:42 AM
What about all these illegal irish people here? I've heard that there are illegal Irish on the east coast, but that the total number doesn't exceed 50,000. The vast majority of the 12-20 million illegals in this country come from Mexico. Yes, it is a good thing that we are a nation of immigrants and a melting pot. America used to be a melting pot, but for the last two or three decades it has become a salad bowl; the ingredients are all in one place but clearly separate. As Mexican (he doesn't like the terms "Latino" or "Hispanic") activist and author Rodolfo "Gordito" Acuna said in a visit to San Diego City College in 1996: "I was born here, but I'm not an American, I'm a Mexican!" He added that "all 'Mexican' higher education should be used for activism." So, if you're Latino and you want to be a doctor or a scientist, Acuna considers you to be a sellout to the "Anglos." Shouldn't someone who has put the time, effort, and sacrifice into earning a college degree be allowed to choose the manner in which they will use it? posted by
cdinman2
on May 27, 2007 at 10:18 AM
What is really sad is when good people from Romania come here to get a new start, been here for years, but can't become citizens. Then you have illegals come here start families and before you know it we become the minorities. Because of this we have to become billingual, Don't think so, It is hard not to become predjudist anymore around here, this is not a personal attack just a statement of truth. we are americans , generations have worked hard to establish our rights, slowly they are being taken away from us. and its about time we get them back, So this bill does need to be reinforced once and for all, we need to take what is ours back.. We have all these holidays for sinco demyo, and others proud mexican days, what has happend to america? The Govenor needs to do what he said and take care of this once and for all, its not fair to be the minority of what is our birthright.
posted by
sagefever
on May 27, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Aruggghhhhh~just once can not any of you say someone has a different viewpoint than yours~instead of saying "unsupported rhetoric", implying that somehow anyone who differs from your view is against fiscal solvency or our nations security~hardly soothing talk is it?The right and the left love to claim high ground yet no one on either side can get beyond" neener neener I am righter than you".We are bringing ourselves down~destroying our own house with our own hands.At this rate we need fear no enemy ~just each other.
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 12:04 PM
I was at Cruz Thru car wash today for my weekly car wash and this WILL BE MY LAST. The announcements were in Mexican and the music Mexican so I guess the just want Peso's This is not Mexico I am an immigrant and came to what I thought was an English speaking nation? I think immigration needs to be reduced and the borders closed because of too many welfare recipiants this country is going down fast@!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 12:48 PM
It's open borders stupid, no borders, no aliens for us to envy! Just turn loose American ingenuity, high finance, corporate farming and solid citizen Realtors like Crisp and Castle and cook and we can take over Baja Today Cancun tomorrow..
Why in no time after we do them out of Mexico just like we did them out of California and the Southwest we will not have to worry about all those Spanish language stations the bother the Visalia lovers lane bandit and Nancy so much, we will have American stations with Ann Coulter, Inga Barks and Rush Limbaugh, and we get their oil too without firing a shot. What is even better is that by stealing Mexico ala California we have a place to send those good legal "ALIENS" from Romania Canada, Austria and all those other planets, who knows, Harold Hanson might just be the next Governor of Baja California. Come to think of it, the last time I went through Cruz Thru car wash on White Lane the only prominent alien on deck was Arnold Schwarzenegger, and they were playing um papa music ans dancing in leather shorts Oh as for the Irish, how could they be aliens, they were here before the Indians everybody who knows history or read Marylee knows that!!! Just think of it , America language and American stations all the way to Guatemala, god new turf for Christan Evangelists and Car salesmen, lawyers, conservative attack dogs and all other types of shysters and hucksters. And they do have plenty of OIL, for our suv's posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 01:37 PM
No response. I guess Ms. Shrider, the allegations are true. How dishonest. posted by
johnburnssucks
on May 27, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Come to think of it, the last time I went through Cruz Thru car wash on White Lane the only prominent alien on deck was Arnold Schwarzenegger. An alien is a citizen of one country who lives in another. Schwarzenegger is an American citizen. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 02:47 PM
i"m confused why would any American citizen want Mexico???? What the hell is there to want its filthy, no sanitation and no work ethic. Excuse me but I think people are leaving it for a reason! Oh and as regards American ingenuity and high finance we don't have it anymore
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 03:21 PM
An alien by any other name is still an alien and 400 million does not change his home planet.! Even if he does have Gestapo ancestry, and share it with the late house painter with the little cute mustache.
:"why would any American citizen want Mexico" that was often heard in 1846, but not until Sutter stole the gold did anyone get serious about it. And that is the point, we would not become citizens of Mexico, they would become citizens of the United States, because they still have gold, black gold, Texas Tea, the same thing we kill people all over the world for, and we can get theirs by just showing up, as Cheney would say "they love us". We can bring their work ethic up to Oildale standard in no time, hell they don't need much improvement to match Oklahoma or Arkansas, or you old stomping grounds Mississippi. See what I mean, we won't have to send our technology to China and India for cheap labor, we can have in our "Southern States", behind the Republican steel curtain. posted by
johnburnssucks
on May 27, 2007 at 03:36 PM
An alien by any other mane is still an alien and 400 million does not change his home planet.! That "other" name is known as "a naturalized citizen." Even if he does have Gestapo ancestry, and share it with the late house painter with the little cute mustache. Is this the best you can do? No wonder you choose to remain "anonymous!"
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 03:40 PM
An alien is an alien, a legal alien but an alien nevertheless, just like you a Canadian alien but still a dreaded alien from our northern planet.
As for the historical perspective just an educational tool. posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 03:40 PM
An alien by any other "mane" is probably an Arabian horse. (or a lion)
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 03:48 PM
I reported you I am tired of your harassment!.
However I agree with you an alien is probably an Arabian, one of those nasty unchristian Muslims who hoard oil to punish us. Why don't go retrieve you shopping cart before someone runs off with it. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Nuff said,I have to go to the car wash to hear some of that good music , later and happy burritoes to all.
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Try Whitewater car wash on White Lane. They should change the name to Brownwater on Brown Ln. It is 100% Mexican labor and not one speaks English. Can someone please explain to me how an employer is allowed to hire 100% Mexicans and get away with it? I have quit going to business with all Mexican work forces. Try the McDonald's next door, same thing nothing but poor English speaking female Mexicans and they ask you to point to the menu board or the NUMBER! This is outrageous in the USA and we have allowed this to happen. Our schools, medical facilities and other government agencies are being overrun with Mexicans. Ho can we allow these dirty, uneducated, sick and lower socioeconomic illegal aliens invade our country and continue to bring down the middle class. Remember they owe no allegiance to the USA and send back most of their wages to Mexico!
posted by
sagefever
on May 27, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Well hi bako~where to begin with that little diatribe?Ah I know ,take your high blood pressure medication,relax and try to smile once in a while.It is a beautiful world,chances are it is not going to go to___in a hand basket any time real soon...mean while you may be missing out on something wonderful, so open up,get out and explore!
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 06:30 PM
I don't know where you've been Bako but car washes have ALWAYS had Mexican workers.
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 07:32 PM
NancyII, again you do not know what you are talking about...how old are you anyway and how long have you resided in Bakersfield? At the traffic circle where the coin shop is was a real old fashioned car wash that was staffed by all black men. At the corner of Niles and Union Ave. was a car wash staffed by all black men. On Oak street about 30 years ago was a car wash staffed by all black men. These are the people who are suffering because of the invasion of Mexicans who will work for low wages
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 07:38 PM
No Nancy Mexicans have not ALWAYS worked at car washes or fast food joints, or hotels or anywhere else. What you fail to realize is they have invaded our country and big business has allowed this to happen to get cheap labor and workers who will not complain. This started with Reagen and has continued unabated for the last 50 years. I worked for a state agency for 20 years and the people I was dealing with knew exactly who they were hiring and knew they could get away with it. Its just now caught up with us and now we are paying the price. In the old days you were called all kinds of names and no one wanted to be tagged as a racist or a Xenophobe. Not any more. I will speak out to preserve a small slice of middle class for my grandchildren. Mexicans go home and come back legally!
posted by
drilnliftcrude
on May 27, 2007 at 07:52 PM
Reagan was making "Hellcats of the Navy" with Nancy (Davis, not II) 50 years ago. Take a breath and attack someone who disagrees with your side of the issue.
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Bako..why is it that when someone disagrees with you, you automatically start to shout that we don't know what we're talking about? As for my age? Considerably older than you I would imagine and I was raised in Bakersfield. I guess I used the term "always" a little loosely because I didn't go back 30 or 50 years for my comment. As far back as I can remember in the last 20 yers or so the car washes have been staffed by Mexican. I used the rainbow car wash on Wible for many years and the only ones who weren't Hispanic was the lady at the snack bar and the guy who did detailing on my car. That was about 12 years ago. The car wash on Brundage has always had Hispanics in my memory. I am as aware of the illegal immigrant problem as you are but unlike you, I don't go around making sweeping statements that are only partially true. You're acting as if Mexicans just all of a sudden took over the car wash industry when that's hogwash. They have been steadily coming over the border for a long time and will work anywhere they don't need proof of residency. Unfortunately that includes car washes, construction, and agriculture. It's been made clear that the employers are the ones who need to be held accountable for the problem (for the most part) and as has been stated over and over, we HAVE laws on the books already that aren't enforced and adding new laws won't change the situation. I just heard that the new law would fine an employer 5000K for the first offense. Great...I hope they do if it's passed but will they enforce it? In closing, you need to back off bucko, you and I are on the same side, we just go about it in different ways. Your being offensive and "in your face" doesn't do anything but alianate people and that's not the goal we're trying to reach. Getting snotty with me isn't going to help YOUR cause. posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:19 PM
I will not back off. I have been espousing these views for the past 25 years. Just nobody wanted to listen. The only way to save this great country is to take it back! If it means getting in peoples faces, so be it. And by the way I was born and raised in East Bakersfield and 64 years young! When I was younger I played with and grew up with many people of Mexican heritage. Never gave it a thought. Work for many years in law enforcement and again never gave it a thought. Not any more these people are not what dame this country great! They are sucking us dry! And to your accusation as to sweeping statements that are only partially true.....what part are not true?
posted by
irv
on May 27, 2007 at 08:19 PM
drilnliftcrude is right. It didn't start with Reagan. The Bracero Program was initiated in 1942. http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... And I hate to keep harping on the fact that the Democrats controlled the white house and both houses of congress. My grandfather owned a car wash on the Garces circle over fifty years ago and Bako is right, mostly blacks worked there. Nancy is right about the last 20 years or so as mostly Mexicans have manned those jobs. Can we all just get along here and acknowledge that we have a severe problem created by our government and realize that it is not going to go away no matter how much we all argue about it.
posted by
Roselady
on May 27, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Nancy, it's 'cause he doesn't WANT to get it. It's much more fun to run around and be pious. I rarely post just because of this attitude of many. It's much more fun to shake my head and laugh at all the idiots. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Bako, the reason car washes in Bakersfield are not staffed by Black men anymore is because Bakersfield and Kern County have found a new use for them, they are all in jail. But it will get worse for Black ab the new gang plan from Schwarzenegger is straight out of Mein Kampf and Arnold will be the new Paul Joseph Goebbels so unless you and Marylee are available it will have to be Pedro and Juan to wash you car and probably even your dog in the future, and if you ever go to a rest home, they may be washing you.
posted by
Roselady
on May 27, 2007 at 08:22 PM
At least he doesn't post "anonymous"!!! LOL
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Just FYI-When Reagen became President he pulled all of the Boarder Patrol out of the Central Valley. Before you challenge me on this my best friends were a 1/2 dozen Border patrol agents here in Bakersfield. They had a full station with as many as 20 field agents. Today there are none. The agents i knew were transfered all over the US and I still have contact with many and they are just as fed up with the immigration policy as I am!
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:26 PM
I try to get along, but it is difficult to convince people that our country is under siege from Mexico! If we all "just get along" we will all be speaking Spanish in 25 years and waving a green and white flag
posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 08:29 PM
I do that now, don't you Bake, see you in September, the 16th to be exact. And Yes, you can bring Marylee with you, I will hold a sombrero foreach of you.
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Roselady believe me I'm not attacking you but it is people like you who just sit and wait until they are over run. I'm tired of my grandchildren applying for jobs at these business and being told "no openings" and the next week a new Mexican working, I'm tired of subsidizing their children in school, I'm tired of having to wait at a hospital for treatment because of the waiting room is full of illegals with no insurance, (maybe if they had not sent all of their money back to Mexico they could pay), tired of them bringing their diseases into our country,and then their smug attitude that WE OWE THEM!
posted by
irv
on May 27, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Trying to get a word in edgewise between the left wing knowitalls and the right wing freaks is really becoming an arduous task.
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 08:38 PM
Sigh..Bako, you are a most difficult person to talk with. I didn't say to back off your cause, I said you need to back off chewing ME out since we ARE on the same side. Since you were raised on the east side, you probably followed my ex through high school. Rose..you're right but somehow I have to get my two cents worth in. That may be about all it's worth but by golly, it's MY two cents. LOL. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Believe me Bakodon, I sympathize with you I too am so tired of subsidizing your kids and not just now but for a long time. Just because your kids now have to compete and no longer get the free ride that you got has to be particularly galling. But not to worry your kids and grandkids still get to the front of the line with the present school system and as you can see from Marylee's column, you still have a monopoly on Congressional appointments to our Military Academies.
posted by
Roselady
on May 27, 2007 at 08:43 PM
"I'm not attacking you but it is people like you who just sit and wait..." HUH? Just because I don't post doesn't mean I "just sit and wait". You know nothing about me. Your post IS attacking me. With that, I'll retire to my corner and let you have at it. posted by
irv
on May 27, 2007 at 08:44 PM
You see, Bako, Nancy is not who you need to worry about. posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Anony! LOL LOL LOL LOL. We pay to send our grandkids to Christian schools and my kids and grandkids NEVER got a free ride. My son was working full time during high school and went straight into the Army and out to work the past 17 years. As for the grandkids they have been taught the work ethic, not the Mexican way of sneaking around and doing it illegally and then saying WE OWE THEM! Get a life and crawl back under your rock. posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on May 27, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Amnesty is like bankruptcy. If we declare it without doing something about the policies that got us into that pickle, we'll find ourselves in it once again before long -- and the amnesty/bankruptcy will have gotten us nowhere.
posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 08:52 PM
As to me getting a "free ride" I was woking part time at 14, owned my own car that I paid for at 16, was married and out on my own at 18 and have never looked back! Went to college and worked full time and still had time for community (Boy Scouts) church, First Methodist on Niles, and most importantly, my family. Now that i'm retied I can say what i want. Sure feels good!
posted by
johnburnssucks
on May 27, 2007 at 08:57 PM
the new gang plan from Schwarzenegger is straight out of Mein Kampf and Arnold will be the new Paul Joseph Goebbels How was your family reunion tonight at the car wash? posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 09:01 PM
We have something in common I sent my kids to Christian school, probably the same one but for different reason, I wanted them to get ahead of those like yours who demand and got a free ride. My kids two marines did not get anything free yours and believe me we don't owe you, although you are convinced that we do.
But than again In guess you and your kind are the second coming but sneaky you are not because you are convinced that a good life is owed by the will of god as a white person and savior of the nation. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 09:03 PM
And believe me if Christianity made you as vicious as you appear, Bakodon, I would worry.
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 09:03 PM
Trinity Methodist On Niles and King? That's where my kids dad and I were married. Is that the same church? If so..never heard it called First Methodist back in those days. Rose has a point. Just because someone doesn't post on a blogging site doesn't mean they don't have an opinion or aren't active. Not everyone wants to come here and be attacked for their beliefs. Expecially by total strangers who assume they know what they're talking about when it comes to people. Not all of us have masochistic tendencies. lol. posted by
anonymous
on May 27, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Very good we washed lots of cars and ruined a few for job security. How was your family reunion, was Lerdo crowded?
posted by
NancyII
on May 27, 2007 at 09:05 PM
"And believe me if Christianity made you as vicious as you appear, Bakodon, I would worry"
This is one time we agree anny...that kind of Christianity has me concerned too. posted by
bakodon
on May 27, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Anony you are one sick bastard filled with hate and envy! You need help before you hurt someone. Based upon what you have written you must really have a bad temper. I really feel sorry for you. I would suggest a call to Kern County Mental health before you hurt someone! Good luck.
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